“We do get minor scratches and we have had worse injuries that require stitches and antibiotics.”

And Gator Caretaker, Conner Mather, added: “I’ve had lots of close calls with alligators. I’ve been bit a number of times.

“It’s just trusting myself and knowing that the alligator is more interested in trying to get the fish than trying to get me.”

The farm is open to the public and Jay admits they get thousands of visitors who stop by to see their animals.

With more than 13,000 followers on their Facebook page, they have also amassed quite the following online.

But Jay remains level-headed and thankful for the team he has around him – Jay’s number one priority will always be his animals.

He said: “We’re trying to have a sustainable eco-system here, recycling everything and growing food for all the animals here ourselves.

“That’s our goal.

“We want to get that message out there, that people need to recycle and think about being sustainable for the earth and think about the future and the future generations and not just about what we can consume today.

“It’s all about being responsible stewards – not just to the earth, but to the animals.”